Change Part I - Believe and Live Differently

Introduction“Change” is defined as: to make or become different. From the Biblical perspective Iwould add that “Change” is to Believe and Live Differently than the culture bysupernatural means. As a Follower of Christ, the Agent of “Change,” that One whichcauses us to believe and empowers us to live differently is our God! On our part,“Change” happens through simple act(s) of faith…trusting God is who He said He is,and that God can do what He said He can do and acting accordingly.

Most of us would agree that we need “Change.” We all want "Change" to be instant,just like we like our food, our purchases, our fun! We hate to wait...we hate when wedon't get what we want when we want it. But "Change" doesn't always work that way,does it?

During this series we’ll investigate through looking at the scriptures and hearingstories from some of our own here at Matt’s House.

Bottomline: Change = A supernaturally powered life long journey of becoming whoyou were always designed to “Be.” This world desperately needs YOU!

Today we are going to peak into Daniels life, how he believed and lived differentlythan the culture around him, how he trusted His God in the midst of life threateninghardships. Daniel was a jewish boy of noble birth. He was carried off into Babylonunder King Nebuchadnezzar’s captivity in 605 BC. During his captivity, he becamepart of Nebuchadnezzar’s court, was promoted into power by the king becauseDaniel stood against the culture holding onto what he believed and supernaturallylived it out.

But before we get further into Daniels story, I have a friend of mine I’d like tointroduce to you…Tray Ferguson, a young man that I have known for a few yearsnow, and have become very fond of.

Interview - Tray FergusonQuestion: Can you recall one of the main events that happened in your life thathelped you see change was needed? In what ways did you need to change?Question: How did you step into change, what did you do differently, what changedin your beliefs? How did being Baptized play a role in these changes?Question: How could you see change in your day to day life, in recent hardships,etc.?

BibleIf anybody has reason not to trust God it would be Daniel and his friends. Their liveshad drastically changed. Their home was invaded, their God’s house of worship wasdesecrated, destroyed and it’s articles of worship were stolen. Imagine the hardshipand suffering Daniel witnessed and experienced. If his God was so good, why didthese bad things happen? Why should he believe in a God that doesn’t seem to bepresent in his most desperate time of need? He’d learned the stories of Israel’s MostHigh and Powerful God. How He’d delivered them from slavery in Egypt, providedfor their every need in the desert, given them the Promised Land. But those were juststories right…where was Israel’s God now, when Daniel need Him?

Summary: Daniel 2:1-49The king’s troubling dream, calls for his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers andastrologers to tell him the dream and interpret the dream under threat of execution,(vv.10-12);• Daniels Act of Faith, changes the heart of Arioch, commander of king’s guard (vv.14-16);• Daniels Act of Faith, asking friends to seek God for dream & interpretation, (vv.18);• Daniels Act of Worship for the dream & it’s interpretation, (vv.20-23);• Daniels Act of Faith, approaches the king, (vv.24-28) with the dream & interpretation.• Daniels Act of Faith, changes his circumstances, saves the magicians, enchanters,sorcerers and astrologers from execution, brings him honor from the king, and getshim and his friends promoted in the kings court, (vv.45-49)

Point: Where is the God of Israel? Right there with Daniel and the boys, every stepof the way, in their circumstances and troubles changing things! He doesn’t free them

Reflective ChallengeQuestion: What circumstances, troubles, obstacles are you facing right now?Question: Do you believe God is present there with you, or has He forgotten aboutyou?Plea - Ask God to show you the next step, the act of faith you need to take, toexperience a change?

Prayer/Exhortation & Send OutDaniel 2:19-23Challenge: Act, by Faith, on what God has just shown you, step into change?